First-year Hawaii basketball coach Eran Ganot believes in studying the game like a science.

When it comes to the chasm between today’s first full practice for the 2015-16 season and the first official game on Nov. 13, he’ll be the first to tell you the science isn’t perfect. Yet.

Two years ago, the NCAA approved a rule change that bumped up the start of full practices by about two weeks, to 42 days before the first game of the year. Teams are allowed 30 practices over that span.

"I think people still are trying to figure it out, to be honest," Ganot said. "It’s only been a couple years since they made the move, and it’s a significant move. Traditionally everyone remembers when first practice was Oct. 15, around there. Now you’re talking about two extra weeks, 20 hours per week of workouts."

Ganot, a former Saint Mary’s and UH assistant coach, has implemented some of the foundation of his new system during fall workouts to this point, but now the work begins in earnest.

He has heard of teams getting burnt out under the new guidelines before the season even begins.

"I think there’s some stretches where you have to continue to balance getting better, getting this team on the same page, and really focusing on saving their bodies," Ganot said. "The season in general is a grind, it’s a journey, it’s a long process.

"Guys (in the coaching ranks) are kicking it around and adjusting year to year. Some of that’s still depending on where your team’s at, what experience, how much you have to put in, how’s your health. You have to be careful."

UH has the advantage of plenty of experience back from last year’s surprising 22-13 team that made the Big West tournament championship game under interim coach Benjy Taylor. Taylor was not retained, however, and Ganot was hired on April 9.

Most notably, national steals leader Roderick Bobbitt, the athletic Aaron Valdes, dynamic Isaac Fleming and versatile big man Stefan Jankovic have returned.

UH will practice at the Stan Sheriff Center once the Los Angeles Lakers conclude their session and clear out of the arena sometime after 3 p.m.

There are no midnight or twilight ohana festivities planned for this year, but there will be a Green and White intrasquad scrimmage on a date to be announced.

FIVE BIG QUESTIONS

Can everybody stay healthy over a month and a half of practices?

Bobbitt and reserve guard Dyrbe Enos have recovered from the broken jaws they suffered in an off-court incident in the offseason and are cleared to practice. The team recently celebrated the fact that all 15 players on the roster were ready to go.

But it’s a long way until the exhibition vs. Chaminade on Nov. 5, and longer still until the regular-season opener vs. Montana State on Nov. 13. It will be up to Ganot to know how hard to push his team over the interim.

Because of its self-imposed sanctions submitted to the NCAA, UH is allowed only 19 hours of practice activity per week this season, down from the standard 20.

Will there be good enough shooting for Ganot’s system?

When Ganot was hired in April, he spoke often of the need for effective perimeter shooting to space the floor. However, top shooter Negus Webster-Chan departed early, and capable gunners Garrett Nevels and Brandon Jawato are gone, too. The addition of Arizona State transfer Sai Tummala could help.

UH was a streaky 3-point shooting team last year. Bobbitt (27-for-107, 25.2 percent), Isaac Fleming (25-97, 25.8), Aaron Valdes (31-86, 36.0), Stefan Jankovic (16-50, 32.0) and Quincy Smith (6-25, 24.0) attempted the most 3s among returnees.

Will any newcomers make a meaningful impact?

Tummala figures to be the biggest contributor among the new blood, though he averaged just 4.2 minutes in 14 games at ASU last season. He came to UH looking for a breakout opportunity as a graduate student and offers a mix of shooting ability and athleticism at forward.

After recruit Bryce Canda didn’t make it into school, true freshmen Sheriff Drammeh (Sweden) and Australian Jakob Cornelissen (Australia) were late offseason pickups to bolster the backcourt depth.

Ex-Auburn forward Jack Purchase must sit out games this season per NCAA transfer rules.

Will unresolved NCAA matters distract the team?

Last year’s group played through their fair share of off-court distractions and still totaled 22 victories. Much of the nucleus of that hardened team is back.

But at the behest of ex-coach Gib Arnold’s legal team, the hearing for NCAA allegations in Arizona was pushed back twice to Oct. 15. Unfortunately for Ganot, he may have to fly up for that in the midst of practices despite not being at UH for any of the alleged infractions.

Indications are it could be well into November or beyond before there is any resolution.

Will size matter?

The 6-foot-11 Stefans, Jankovic and Jovanovic offer plenty of size. Jankovic is a true stretch 4, capable of pulling opposing big men far from the basket on offense with his face-up game. And Jovanovic is an old-school, back-to-the-basket presence with a capable hook shot.

The drop-off in height is pretty significant from there. Mike Thomas (6-7) played center in UH’s small-ball lineups in 2014-15. Tummala (6-6) can bang bodies if necessary and Valdes (6-5) got thrown in the post at times last year, too.

Purchase (6-9) will at least be able to offer a little more height in practice and for scout team purposes.